Wrestling: Johnson returns to his roots at Upper Merion High

UPPER MERION — Yes, it really was seven years ago that Marcus Johnson entered the Section III Wrestling Tournament with a 0-0 record and won the 189-pound weight class and the tournament’s Oustanding Wrestler award.

But that was easy, at least compared to Johnson’s new job, as the head wrestling coach at his alma mater, Upper Merion High.

Johnson was named the Vikings coach Thursday, replacing Kevin Boccella, who oversaw Upper Merion’s fortunes over the past six seasons.

Aside from a few individual highlights over the past few seasons, the Vikings have not been known for their mat prowess, a trend Johnson would like to turn around.

But for now, the 26-year old is keeping his goals on the modest side.

“I’m excited at this point,” Johnson said. “Kevin started a nice foundation and I’m just going to try and build on that.

“I just want the kids to get better, as wrestlers and as people. I want them to be confident and competitive, and to fight.”

Part of that foundation is a core of young wrestlers who showed promise a year ago, along with a quality group of freshmen.

“We’ll have a lot of young wrestlers, a lot of freshmen,” Johnson said, “and it will be good for these young kids to get experience against some of the tough competition we’ll see against teams like Norristown and Wissahickon.”

Johnson has already begun going through names with the hopes of assembling his staff of assistant coaches. But his primary focus will be nurturing the young talent he has inherited.

“We have a nice little core, and I’m happy with that,” Johnson said. “Over the last couple of years, Kevin got things going pretty well, and I just want to keep the ball rolling. This first year will be key.”

There’s even a distant hope that, one day, the Vikings may even get their own wrestling room. Presently, the area their wrestlers use for practice doubles as a practice room for the school’s cheerleaders.

“That’s just the way things are,” Johnson said. “Hey, we haven’t been very successful for a few years. We start winning matches and showing we care, and maybe we’ll get that gym.”